Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

What is in this leaflet

It does not contain all of the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Bispro against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with your medicine.

You may need to read it again.

What Bispro is used for

Bispro is used to treat heart failure. It is usually used in combination with other medicines.

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is weak and unable to pump enough blood to supply the body's needs. Heart failure may start off with no symptoms, but as the condition progresses patients may feel short of breath and notice swelling of the feet and ankles due to fluid build up.

Bispro belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers. These medicines work by affecting the body's response to some nerve impulses, especially in the heart. As a result, it decreases the heart's need for blood and oxygen and therefore reduces the amount of work the heart has to do. Bispro also slows your heart rate, which in turn increases the efficiency of your heart.

Bispro can help to reduce the number of heart failure episodes needing hospital admission and also the risk of sudden death.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Bispro has been prescribed for you.

Your doctor may have prescribed Bispro for another reason.

Bispro is not recommended for use in children, as the safety and efficacy in children have not been established.

Bispro is available only with a doctor's prescription.

There is no evidence that Bispro is addictive.

Before you take Bispro

When you must not take it

Do not take Bispro if you have an allergy to any medicine containing bisoprolol or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

certain calcium antagonists such as diltiazem or verapamil (medicines used to treat high blood pressure and angina)

certain medicines used to treat high blood pressure, such as clonidine, methyldopa or moxonidine.

However, do not stop taking these medicines without checking with your doctor.

Check with your doctor before taking the following medicines with Bispro.

Your doctor may need to check your condition more frequently.

anti-arrhythmic medicines such as amiodarone (used to treat irregular or abnormal heartbeat)

calcium antagonists such as felodipine or amlodipine (used to treat high blood pressure and angina)

certain medicines used to treat arthritis, pain or inflammation, such as ibuprofen or diclofenac

eye drops for glaucoma treatment

insulin and oral drugs for diabetes

anaesthetic agents used in surgery

digoxin, a medicine used to treat heart failure

ergot derivatives, medicines commonly used to treat migraines

rifampicin, a medicine used to treat tuberculosis

tricyclic antidepressants

barbiturates, medicines used to treat epilepsy

phenothiazines, medicines used to treat some mental conditions

mefloquine, a medicine used to treat malaria

adrenaline, a medicine used to treat allergic reactions

certain medicines used to treat depression called monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as phenelzine or tranylcypromine.

These medicines may be affected by Bispro or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.

Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Bispro.

How to take Bispro

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.

They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

The usual starting dose is 1.25 mg once daily for a week. If well tolerated, your doctor will gradually increase your dose over the next ten weeks. The usual dose for maintenance therapy is 10 mg once daily.

If your conditions gets worse or you no longer tolerate the drug, it may be necessary to reduce the dose again or to interrupt treatment. In some patients a maintenance dose lower than 10 mg may be sufficient. Your doctor will tell you what to do.

Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure, heart rate and other vital signs carefully after you start treatment with Bispro and during dose increase.

How to take it

Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water.

Do not chew the tablets.

When to take it

Take Bispro in the morning, with or without food.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your tablets as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.

This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

How long to take it for

To properly control your condition, Bispro must be taken every day, usually as a long term treatment.

Continue taking Bispro for as long as your doctor tells you.

It is very important that you do not stop taking Bispro suddenly.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Bispro. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

You may need urgent medical attention.

Symptoms of an overdose may include slowed heart rate, difficulty breathing, marked drop in blood pressure, severe heart failure, or a decrease in blood sugar.

While you are taking Bispro

Things you must do

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Bispro.

Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking Bispro.

If you become pregnant while taking Bispro, tell your doctor.

If you plan to have surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Bispro.

If you are being treated for diabetes, make sure you check your blood sugar level regularly and report any changes to your doctor.

Bispro may change how well your diabetes is controlled. It may also cover up some of the symptoms of low blood sugar, called hypoglycaemia, such as fast heart beat. Bispro may make hypoglycaemia last longer. Your dose of diabetic medicines, including insulin, may need to change.

If you are about to have any medical tests, tell your doctor that you are taking Bispro.

It may interfere with the results of some tests.

Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.

Your doctor may check your eyes, thyroid, lipid and blood glucose levels from time to time to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects.

Things you must not do

Do not take Bispro to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not give Bispro to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not stop taking Bispro or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.

If you stop taking it suddenly, your condition may worsen or other heart complications may occur.

If you have to stop treatment, your doctor will usually advise you to reduce the dose gradually.

Things to be careful of

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Bispro affects you.

Bispro may cause tiredness, dizziness or lightheadedness in some people, especially after the first dose. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Be careful getting up from a sitting or lying position.

Dizziness, light-headedness or fainting may occur, especially when you get up quickly. Getting up slowly may help.

Date published: Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice and should not be exclusively relied on to manage or diagnose a medical condition. NPS MedicineWise disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer. This website uses cookies. Read our privacy policy.